Temporary access to a media playback system

ABSTRACT

A playback device may be communicatively connected to a network device at a demonstration location. After connecting to the network device, the playback device may receive from the network device, a message indicating media content for playback by the playback device. In response to receiving the message, the playback device may play the media content, where playing the media content comprises modifying a default configuration of a demonstration mode. After receiving the message, the playback device may be disconnected from the network device. After disconnecting from the network device, the playback device may return to the default configuration of the demonstration mode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure claims the benefit of priority as a continuation under35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/730,154 filed Dec. 30,2019, entitled “Playback Device Demonstration”, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 15/240,892 filed Aug. 18, 2016, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,523,983, entitled “Playback Device Demonstration”, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/287,806 filed Nov. 2,2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,460,631, entitled “Systems, Methods,Apparatus, and Articles of Manufacture for Playback Demonstration at aPoint of Sale Display”, the contents of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer electronics and, moreparticularly, to managing a digital playback device demonstration at apoint of sale display.

BACKGROUND

Technological advancements have increased the accessibility of musiccontent, as well as other types of media, such as television content,movies, and interactive content. For example, a user can access audio,video, or both audio and video content over the Internet through anonline store, an Internet radio station, an online music service, anonline movie service, and the like, in addition to the more traditionalavenues of accessing audio and video content. Demand for such audio andvideo content continues to surge. Given the high demand, technology usedto access and play such content has likewise improved.

Retail environments offer various electronic products to customers. Forexample, digital devices, such as receivers, players, speakers, and soon, can often be purchased in retail environments, such as electronicequipment stores. Because customers often want to view demonstrations ofthe products before purchase, retail environments may display productsto demonstrate music, movies, and so forth.

Product demonstrations using applications are frequently outdated orotherwise not in keeping with media trends. For example, customerssometimes view demonstrations of songs or videos that are months old.Further, Internet-enabled products sometimes require the entry ofaccount information to access services provided via the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologyare better understood with regard to the following description, appendedclaims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of an example system in which embodimentsof the methods and apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example playback device (e.g., azone player) having a built-in amplifier and speakers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example playback device (e.g., azone player) having a built-in amplifier and connected to externalspeakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example playback device (e.g., azone player) connected to an A/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example playbackdevice (e.g., a zone player);

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an examplecontroller;

FIG. 6 shows an example point of sale environment for remotely managingdigital devices in a retail environment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example device management engine;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process for remotely managingdigital devices;

FIG. 9 shows a demonstration interface configured for demonstration ofoperation of one or more playback devices in a retail environment;

FIG. 10 shows an example handheld device that can be used to providecontroller functions for one or more demonstration playback devices;

FIGS. 11A-11F illustrate example demonstration configurations of one ormore playback devices at a point of sale display;

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart representative of an example method forplayback device demonstration at a point of sale display; and

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart representative of an example method forplayback device demonstration at a point of sale display.

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating exampleembodiments, but it is understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Overview

A commercial product launch and sale through a retail establishmentinvolves a brand strategy including a retail point of sale (POS) displaythat may function in both a network connected and non-connectedenvironment where consumers can experience a product, such as amultimedia playback device (e.g., a zone player) through the POSdisplay. As used herein, a retail environment may include any area withfoot traffic (e.g., an electronics store, a department store, anairport, coffee shop, and the like). As such, a retail environment maynot necessarily be known for retail.

Certain examples provide one or more playback devices (e.g., zoneplayers, speakers, and so on) that may be arranged in a configurationincluding a display at a point of sale location, such as a retailestablishment, kiosk, cart, and so on. A display (e.g., a video displayat a point of sale location) and/or speakers may receive content andgenerate one or more outputs using the received content.

Certain examples provide a controller, such as an Android™-basedcontroller (e.g., accessible via a smartphone), to facilitateinteraction with a user interface to control and explore the advertisedproduct at the point of sale display.

Certain examples provide a user experience to potential customerswhether the products on display in the retail environment are connectedor non-connected with an external network, such as the Internet. Certainexamples enable potential customers to view information and interactwith demo products regardless of whether the products are connected toan external network. Certain examples can also limit what a customer canaccess or change (e.g., can lock a device) so as to not allow a customerto disrupt or render inoperable a demonstration device.

Example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacturedisclosed herein provide for configuration and management of one or moreplayback devices in demonstration configuration of equipment at a pointof sale location.

Certain embodiments provide a system for demonstration of a playbackdevice at a point of sale. The example system includes a playback deviceconfigured for demonstration playback by one or more users at the pointof sale. The example playback device is to respond to an allowed set ofuser commands to provide content playback. The example system includes auser control to facilitate user interaction with the playback device andto provide information for user review regarding the playback device.The example user control includes an option for user selection toprovide additional information regarding playback device functionality.The example user control is restricted to provide repeatable playabilityof the playback device for demonstration at the point of sale. Theexample system is to monitor the playback device for repeatableplayability by users in the system.

Certain embodiments provide a method for demonstration of deviceplayback at a point of sale. The example method includes providing,using a playback device, information to a user at a point of saleregarding playback device functionality. The example method includesfacilitating user interaction with the playback device to play backcontent via the playback device by one or more users at the point ofsale. The example method includes limiting user access to control theplayback device to provide repeatable playability of the playback devicefor demonstration at the point of sale. The example method includesmonitoring the playback device for repeatable playability by users atthe point of sale.

Certain embodiments provide a tangible computer readable storage mediumincluding a set of instructions for execution using a processor, the setof instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing ademonstration controller for one or more playback devices by one or moreusers at a point of sale. The example implemented controller includes adisplay to provide information to a user at a point of sale regardingplayback device functionality. The example implemented controllerincludes a user control to facilitate user interaction with the playbackdevice to play back content via the playback device by one or more usersat the point of sale. The example controller limits user access tocontrol the playback device to provide repeatable playability of theplayback device for demonstration at the point of sale and monitors theplayback device for repeatable playability by users at the point ofsale.

Certain embodiments facilitate interaction between users and multimediaequipment manufacturers at a point of sale location. For example, a usercan view a presentation and/or interact with a representative of amultimedia equipment manufacturer (e.g., SONOS®) rather than arepresentative of the retail point of sale location while viewing andinteracting with the equipment at the point of sale location.

Certain embodiments enable a user to playback multimedia content at ademonstration configuration of playback device(s) at a point of salelocation. For example, a user can play a song from his/her IPHONE™ orIPOD™ by docked (e.g., wired or wirelessly docking) the device to apoint of sale display.

Although the following discloses example systems, methods, apparatus,and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmwareand/or software executed on hardware, it should be noted that suchsystems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture are merelyillustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, itis contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/orsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles ofmanufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implementsuch systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible mediumsuch as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing the softwareand/or firmware.

Reference herein to “embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentcan be included in at least one example embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of this phrase in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separateor alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Assuch, the embodiments described herein, explicitly and implicitlyunderstood by one skilled in the art, can be combined with otherembodiments.

II. Example Environment

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to likeparts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example systemconfiguration 100 in which one or more of the method and/or apparatusdisclosed herein can be practiced or implemented. By way ofillustration, the system configuration 100 represents a home withmultiple zones. Each zone, for example, represents a different room orspace, such as an office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room,family room, home theater room, utility or laundry room, and patio.While not shown here, a single zone can cover more than one room orspace. One or more of zone players 102-124 are shown in each respectivezone. A zone player 102-124, also referred to as a playback device,multimedia unit, speaker, and so on, provides audio, video, and/oraudiovisual output. A controller 130 (e.g., shown in the kitchen forpurposes of illustration) provides control to the system configuration100. The system configuration 100 illustrates an example whole houseaudio system, though it is understood that the technology describedherein is not limited to its particular place of application or to anexpansive system like a whole house audio system 100 of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example illustrations of zone players 200-204.The zone players 200-204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, cancorrespond to any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1 . While certainembodiments provide multiple zone players, an audio output can begenerated using only a single zone player. FIG. 2A illustrates a zoneplayer 200 including sound producing equipment 208 capable of generatingsound or an audio output corresponding to a signal received (e.g.,wirelessly and/or via a wired interface). The sound producing equipment208 of the zone player 200 of FIG. 2A includes a built-in amplifier (notshown in this illustration) and speakers (e.g., a tweeter, a mid-rangedriver, and/or a subwoofer. In certain embodiments, the zone player 200of FIG. 2A can be configured to play stereophonic audio or monauralaudio. In some embodiments, the zone player 200 of FIG. 2A can beconfigured as a component in a combination of zone players to playstereophonic audio, monaural audio, and/or surround audio. As describedin greater detail below, in some embodiments, the example zone player200 of FIG. 2A can also transmit a second signal to, for example, otherzone player(s) in the same or different zone(s), speaker(s),receiver(s), and so on. Transmission of the second signal can be partof, for example, a system in which multiple zone players, speakers,receivers, and so on, form a network to, for example, present mediacontent in a synchronization or distributed manner.

The example zone player 202 of FIG. 2B includes a built-in amplifier(not shown in this illustration) to power a set of detached speakers210. The speakers 210 of FIG. 2B can include, for example, any type ofloudspeaker. The zone player 202 of FIG. 2B can communicate a signalcorresponding to audio content to the detached speakers 210 via wiredand/or wireless channels. Instead of receiving and generating audiocontent as in FIG. 2A, the zone player 202 of FIG. 2B receives the audiocontent and transmits the same (e.g., after processing the receivedsignal) to the detached speakers 210. Similar to the example zone player200 of FIG. 2A, in some embodiments the zone player 202 can transmit asecond signal to, for example, other zone player(s) in the same ordifferent zone(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on.

The example zone player 204 of FIG. 2C does not include an amplifier,but allows a receiver 214, or another audio and/or video type devicewith built-in amplification, to connect to a data network 128 of FIG. 1and to play audio received over the data network 128 via the receiver214 and a set of detached speakers 216. In addition to the wiredcouplings shown in FIG. 2C, the detached speakers 216 can receive audiocontent via a wireless communication channel between the detachedspeakers 216 and, for example, the zone player 204 and/or the receiver214. In some embodiments the zone player 202 can transmit a secondsignal to, for example, other zone player(s) in the same or differentzone(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on.

Example zone players include a “SONOS® S5,” “SONOS® PLAY:5,” “SONOS®PLAY:3,” “ZONEPLAYER® 120,” and “ZONEPLAYER® 90,” which are offered bySonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. Any other past, present, and/orfuture zone players can additionally or alternatively be used toimplement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein. Azone player can also be referred to herein as a playback device, and azone player is not limited to the particular examples illustrated inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. For example, a zone player can include a wired orwireless headphone. In other examples, a zone player might include asubwoofer. In yet other examples, a zone player can include a sound bar.In an example, a zone player can include or interact with a dockingstation for an Apple IPOD™ or similar device. In some embodiments, azone player can relay one or more signals received from, for example, afirst zone player to another playback device. In some embodiments, azone player can receive a first signal and generate an outputcorresponding to the first signal and, simultaneously or separately, canreceive a second signal and transmit or relay the second signal toanother zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), and so on. Thus, anexample zone player described herein can act as a playback device and,at the same time, operate as a hub in a network of zone players. In suchinstances, media content corresponding to the first signal can bedifferent from the media content corresponding to the second signal.

FIG. 3 shows an example illustration of a wireless controller 300 in adocking station 302. The controller 300 can correspond to thecontrolling device 130 of FIG. 1 . The controller 300 is provided with atouch screen 304 that allows a user to interact with the controller 300,for example, to retrieve and navigate a playlist of audio items, controloperations of one or more zone players, and provide overall control ofthe system configuration 100. In certain embodiments, any number ofcontrollers can be used to control the system configuration 100. Incertain embodiments, there can be a limit on the number of controllersthat can control the system configuration 100. The controllers might bewireless like wireless controller 300 or wired to the data network 128.Furthermore, an application running on any network-enabled portabledevices, such as an iPhone™, iPad™, Android™ powered phone, or any othersmart phone or network-enabled device can be used as a controller byconnecting to the data network 128. An application running on a laptopor desktop PC or Mac can also be used as a controller. Examplecontrollers include a “SONOS® CONTROLLER 200,” “SONOS® CONTROLLER FORIPHONE,” “SONOS® CONTROLLER FOR IPAD,” “SONOS® CONTROLLER FOR ANDROID,and “SONOS® CONTROLLER FOR MAC OR PC,” which are offered by Sonos, Inc.of Santa Barbara, Calif. The flexibility of such an application and itsability to be ported to a new type of portable device is advantageous.

Referring back to the system configuration 100 of FIG. 1 , a particularzone can contain one or more zone players. For example, the family roomof FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while the kitchen isshown with one zone player 102. Zones can be dynamically configured bypositioning a zone player in a room or space and assigning via thecontroller 130 the zone player to a new or existing zone. As such, zonescan be created, combined with another zone, removed, and given aspecific name (e.g., “Kitchen”), if so programmed. The zone players 102to 124 are coupled directly or indirectly to a data network, such as thedata network 128 shown in FIG. 1 . The data network 128 is representedby an octagon in the figure to stand out from other components shown inthe figure. While the data network 128 is shown in a single location, itis understood that such a network can be distributed in and around thesystem configuration 100.

Particularly, the data network 128 can be a wired network, a wirelessnetwork, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to the data network 128based on a proprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to the data network 128using a non-mesh topology. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are coupled via a wire to the data network 128 usingEthernet or similar technology. In addition to the one or more zoneplayers 102-124 connecting to the data network 128, the data network 128can further allow access to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In certain embodiments, the data network 128 can be created byconnecting any of the zone players 102-124, or some other connectingdevice, to a broadband router. Other zone players 102-124 can then beadded wired or wirelessly to the data network 128. For example, a zoneplayer (e.g., any of zone players 102-124) can be added to the systemconfiguration 100 by simply pressing a button on the zone player itself,which enables a connection to be made to the data network 128. Thebroadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),for example. The broadband router can be used to form another datanetwork within the system configuration 100, which can be used in otherapplications (e.g., web surfing). The data network 128 can also be usedin other applications, if so programmed. Further, in certainembodiments, the data network 128 is the same network used for otherapplications in the household.

In certain embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source asanother zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. Forexample, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazzmusic via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in thekitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further,someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zoneplayer 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In someembodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 isplayed in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows forsomeone to pass through zones while seamlessly listening to the audio.Further, zones can be put into a “party mode” such that all associatedzones will play audio in synchrony.

In certain embodiments, a zone contains two or more zone players. Forexample, the family room contains two zone players 106 and 108, and thehome theater room contains at least zone players 116, 118, and 120. Azone can be configured to contain as many zone players as desired, andfor example, the home theater room might contain additional zone playersto play audio from a 5.1 channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movieencoded with 5.1 or greater audio channels). If a zone contains two ormore zone players, such as the two zone players 106 and 108 in thefamily room, then the two zone players 106 and 108 can be configured toplay the same audio source in synchrony, or the two zone players 106 and108 can be paired to play two separate sounds in left and rightchannels, for example. In other words, the stereo effects of a sound canbe reproduced or enhanced through the two zone players 106 and 108, onefor the left sound and the other for the right sound. In certainembodiments, paired zone players can play audio in synchrony with otherzone players.

In certain embodiments, three or more zone players can be configured toplay various channels of audio that is encoded with three channels ormore sound. For example, the home theater room shows zone players 116,118, and 120. If the sound is encoded as 2.1 channel audio, then thezone player 116 can be configured to play left channel audio, the zoneplayer 118 can be configured to play right channel audio, and the zoneplayer 120 can be configured to play bass frequencies. Otherconfigurations are possible and depend on the number of zone players andthe type of audio. Further, a particular zone can be configured to playa 5.1 channel audio in one instance, such as when playing audio from amovie, and then dynamically switch to play stereo, such as when playingaudio from a two channel source.

In certain embodiments, two or more zone players can be sonicallyconsolidated to form a single, consolidated zone player. A consolidatedzone player (though made up of multiple, separate devices) can beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated zone player or zone players that are paired, because aconsolidated zone player will have additional speaker drivers from whichsound can be passed. The consolidated zone player can further be pairedwith a single zone player or yet another consolidated zone player. Eachplayback device of a consolidated playback device is preferably set in aconsolidated mode.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group,consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desiredconfiguration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, andpairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such asusing controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connectingspeaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to createdifferent configurations. As such, certain embodiments described hereinprovide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which soundreproduction can be offered to the end-user.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 arenumerous. Music from a personal library stored on a computer ornetworked-attached storage (NAS) can be accessed via the data network128 and played. Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts can beaccessed via the data network 128. Music services that let a user streamand download music and audio content can be accessed via the datanetwork 128. Further, music can be obtained from traditional sources,such as a turntable or CD player, via a line-in connection to a zoneplayer, for example. Audio content can also be accessed through AirPlay™wireless technology by Apple, Inc., for example. Audio content receivedfrom one or more sources can be shared amongst the zone players 102 to124 via the data network 128 and/or the controller 130. Theabove-disclosed sources of audio content are referred to herein asnetwork-based audio information sources. However, network-based audioinformation sources are not limited thereto.

The example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120 are coupled to anaudio information source such as a television 132. In some examples, thetelevision 132 is used as a source of audio for the home theater zoneplayers 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audio information fromthe television 132 can be shared with any of the zone players 102-124 inthe audio system 100.

III. Example Playback Device

Referring now to FIG. 4 , there is shown an example functional blockdiagram of a zone player 400 in accordance with an embodiment. The zoneplayer 400 of FIG. 4 includes a network interface 402, a processor 408,a memory 410, an audio processing component 412, a module 414, an audioamplifier 416, and a speaker unit 418 coupled to the audio amplifier416. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Othertypes of zone players can not include the speaker unit 418 (e.g., suchas shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 416 (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 400 can beintegrated into another component. For example, the zone player 400could be constructed as part of a lamp for indoor or outdoor use.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the network interface 402 facilitates a dataflow between zone players and other devices on a data network (e.g., thedata network 128 of FIG. 1 ) and the zone player 400. In someembodiments, the network interface 402 can manage the assembling of anaudio source or file into smaller packets that are to be transmittedover the data network or reassembles received packets into the originalsource or file. In some embodiments, the network interface 402 canfurther handle the address part of each packet so that it gets to theright destination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player400. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includesan Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-baseddestination address.

In some embodiments, the network interface 402 can include one or bothof a wireless interface 404 and a wired interface 406. The wirelessinterface 404, also referred to as an RF interface, provides networkinterface functions for the zone player 400 to wirelessly communicatewith other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s), receiver(s),component(s) associated with the data network 128, and so on) inaccordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any of the wirelessstandards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.15). Toreceive wireless signals and to provide the wireless signals to thewireless interface 404 and to transmit wireless signals, the zone player400 of FIG. 4 includes one or more antennas 420. The wired interface 406provides network interface functions for the zone player 400 tocommunicate over a wire with other devices in accordance with acommunication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). In some embodiments, a zoneplayer includes both of the interfaces 404 and 406. In some embodiments,a zone player 400 includes only the wireless interface 404 or the wiredinterface 406.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 is a clock-driven electronicdevice that is configured to process input data according toinstructions stored in memory 410. The memory 410 is data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more software modules 414, which can beexecuted by the processor 408 to achieve certain tasks. In theillustrated embodiment, the memory 410 is a tangible machine readablemedium storing instructions that can be executed by the processor 408.In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to retrieveaudio data from another zone player or a device on a network. In someembodiments, a task might be for the zone player 400 to send audio datato another zone player or device on a network. In some embodiments, atask might be for the zone player 400 to synchronize playback of audiowith one or more additional zone players. In some embodiments, a taskmight be to pair the zone player 400 with one or more zone players tocreate a multi-channel audio environment. Additional or alternativetasks can be achieved via the one or more software modules 414 and theprocessor 408.

The audio processing component 412 can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. Incertain embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via the networkinterface 402 is processed and/or intentionally altered by the audioprocessing component 412. Further, the audio processing component 412can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signals arethen provided to the audio amplifier 416 for play back through speakers418. In addition, the audio processing component 412 can includenecessary circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs toplay from zone player 400, send to another zone player on a network, orboth play and send to another zone player on the network. An exampleinput includes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mmaudio line-in connection).

The audio amplifier 416 is a device that amplifies audio signals to alevel for driving one or more speakers 418. The one or more speakers 418can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a completespeaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers.A particular driver can be a subwoofer (for low frequencies), amid-range driver (middle frequencies), and a tweeter (high frequencies),for example. An enclosure can be sealed or ported, for example.

A zone player 400 can also be referred to herein as a playback device.An example playback device includes a Sonos® Play:5, which ismanufactured by Sonos, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. The Play:5 is anexample zone player with a built-in amplifier and speakers. Inparticular, the Play:5 is a five-driver speaker system that includes twotweeters, two mid-range drivers, and one subwoofer. When playing audiocontent via the Play:5, the left audio data of a track is sent out ofthe left tweeter and left mid-range driver, the right audio data of atrack is sent out of the right tweeter and the right mid-range driver,and mono bass is sent out of the subwoofer. Further, both mid-rangedrivers and both tweeters have the same equalization (or substantiallythe same equalization). That is, they are both sent the samefrequencies, just from different channels of audio. Audio from Internetradio stations, online music and video services, downloaded music,analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and so on, can be played from aSonos® Play:5. While the Play:5 is an example of a zone player withspeakers, it is understood that a zone player with speakers is notlimited to one with a certain number of speakers (e.g., five speakers asin the Play:5), but rather can contain one or more speakers. Further, azone player can be part of another device, which might even serve apurpose different than audio (e.g., a lamp).

IV. Example Controller

Referring now to FIG. 5 , there is shown an example controller 500,which can correspond to the controlling device 130 in FIG. 1 . Thecontroller 500 can be used to facilitate the control of multi-mediaapplications, automation and others in a system. In particular, thecontroller 500 is configured to facilitate a selection of a plurality ofaudio sources available on the network and enable control of one or morezone players (e.g., the zone players 102-124 in FIG. 1 ) through awireless network interface 508. According to one embodiment, thewireless communications is based on an industry standard (e.g.,infrared, radio, wireless standards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b 802.11g,802.11n, or 802.15). Further, when a particular audio is being accessedvia the controller 500 or being played via a zone player, a picture(e.g., album art) or any other data, associated with the audio sourcecan be transmitted from a zone player or other electronic device to thecontroller 500 for display.

The controller 500 is provided with a screen 502 and an input interface514 that allows a user to interact with the controller 500, for example,to navigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to controloperations of one or more zone players. The screen 502 on the controller500 can be an LCD screen, for example. The screen 500 communicates withand is commanded by a screen driver 504 that is controlled by amicrocontroller (e.g., a processor) 506. The memory 510 can be loadedwith one or more application modules 512 that can be executed by themicrocontroller 506 with or without a user input via the user interface514 to achieve certain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module512 is configured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zoneplayers into a zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audioplay back. In some embodiments, an application module 512 is configuredto control the audio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zonegroup. In operation, when the microcontroller 506 executes one or moreof the application modules 512, the screen driver 504 generates controlsignals to drive the screen 502 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly.

The controller 500 includes a network interface 508 that facilitateswireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments, thecommands such as volume control and audio playback synchronization aresent via the network interface 508. In some embodiments, a saved zonegroup configuration is transmitted between a zone player and acontroller via the network interface 508. The controller 500 can controlone or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1 . There can be morethan one controller for a particular system. Further, a controller canbe integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as aniPhone®, iPad® or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g.,a networked computer such as a PC or Mac®) can also be used as acontroller to interact or control zone players in a particularenvironment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade canbe downloaded onto a network enabled device to perform the functionsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group including atleast two zone players from the controller 500. The zone players in thezone group can play audio in a synchronized fashion, such that all ofthe zone players in the zone group play back an identical audio sourceor a list of identical audio sources in a synchronized manner such thatno (or substantially no) audible delays or hiccups could be heard.Similarly, in some embodiments, when a user increases the audio volumeof the group from the controller 500, the signals or data of increasingthe audio volume for the group are sent to one of the zone players andcauses other zone players in the group to be increased together involume.

A user via the controller 500 can group zone players into a zone groupby activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping azone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. Forexample, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audioplay back is to link a number of zone players together to form a group.To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link eachzone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that thereis a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom,Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zoneplayers, for example, by starting with a single zone and then manuallylinking each zone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linkedtogether using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent tofirst creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scenecommand can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in oneaction. Without this single command, the user would need to manually andindividually link each zone. The single command might include a mouseclick, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some otherprogrammed action. Other kinds of zone scenes can be programmed.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time(e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be setto apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zonesautomatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music aftera defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an“On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables anyzone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., afavorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for aspecific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to beplayed (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failedUniversal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an InternetRadio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound.The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, forexample.

V. Example Point of Sale Environment

FIG. 6 shows an example system 600 for remotely managing devices, suchas playback devices (e.g., zone players) in a point of sale location. Byway of illustration, a retail or other point of sale location mayinclude a general retail store such as TARGET® or a specialty retailersuch as BEST BUY®. Though it is understood that a retail environment asused herein could include any area with foot traffic (e.g., an airportor coffee shop to name a few), and as such, a retail environment may notnecessarily be known for retail. An example system 600 includes awireless, multi-room digital media system that lets you play digitalmusic or other multimedia content in a house, business, vehicle or otherlocation or area. The digital music system 600 may be controlled at thelocation via a single playback device, a controller, both a playbackdevice and a controller, and so on. The playback device may be sold in aretail environment, such as an electronics store. The playback devicemay be monitored in order to provide updates, subscription serviceinformation, or any other automated data remotely to the system at thepoint of sale location.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 6 , one or more digital devices602 (e.g., playback devices), such as a digital device A 602A, a digitaldevice B 602B, and a digital device N 602N, are in communication via anetwork 604 with a device management engine 606. The digital devices 602may be associated with a retail environment. The device managementengine 606 may be associated with a manufacturer, distributor, and/orservice provider for the digital devices 602. Although certain kinds ofdigital devices 602 are discussed herein, any type of digital device maybe managed remotely according to some embodiments.

The digital devices 602 can access the device management engine 606 viathe network 604, directly, or via a computing device, such as a laptopor desktop computer, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a set top box, and so on. In certain embodiments, the devicemanagement engine 606 monitors the digital devices 602 via the network604. In an embodiment, the digital devices 602 may connect to the devicemanagement engine 606 periodically via the network 604 to be monitored.Alternatively, the digital devices 602 may connect when an event occurs,such as when a user activates an application on any of the digitaldevices 602 or attempts to log into a subscription service. In certainembodiments, any of the digital devices 602 may initiate communicationwith the device management engine 606. In certain embodiments, thedevice management engine 606 may initiate communication with one or moreof the digital devices 602. In certain embodiments, the devicemanagement engine 606 may connect to one of the digital devices 602,which then monitors the other digital devices 602 through a localnetwork, for example.

The digital devices 602 may be configured for demonstrations or othercustomer tests. Accordingly, some of the digital devices 602 may bedemonstration units or have modes of operation that include ademonstration mode, for example.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example device management engine 706,such as or similar to the device management engine 606 shown in FIG. 6 .The example device management engine 606 of FIG. 7 includes acommunications interface 702, a monitoring module 704, a messagingmodule 706, a resolution module 708, an account module 710, and alocking module 712.

The communications interface 702 may facilitate communication betweenthe device management engine 606 and the digital devices 702. Forexample, the communications interface 702 may communicate messages, suchas emails, text messages, error messages, operational detail messages,software updates, and so on to the digital devices 702.

A monitoring module 704 may monitor the one or more digital devices 602within the retail environment. The retail environment may include one ormore retail stores. For example, a retail store may sell various digitalmusic devices, digital video devices, and so forth. Various digitaldevices 602 in hundreds (or thousands) of stores may be monitored. Themonitoring module 704 may schedule times for the device managementengine 606 to connect to these digital devices 602 via the network 604.The monitoring module 704 may then track user interaction with thedigital devices 602, demonstrations being played by the digital devices602, input from sales people associated with the digital devices 602,software application versions running on the digital devices 602,functioning of the digital devices 602, whether the digital devices 602are on or off, and so on. The digital devices 602 may push monitoringdata to the device management engine 606 or the device management engine606 may pull the monitoring data from the digital media devices 602. Themonitoring may be event based, rather than, or in addition to schedulebased. For example, the monitoring module 704 may monitor the digitalmedia devices 602 when a dealer lock mode is enabled (discussed infurther detail below), when a retailer makes changes to theconfiguration associated with the digital media devices 602, and so on.

Based on the monitoring, the monitoring module 704 may forward dataobtained to one or more other modules associated with the devicemanagement engine 606, for example.

Optionally, a telephone call or other communication may be initiated bya person or machine associated with the device management engine 606 toinform a person or machine associated with the retail environment aboutmatters, issues, problems, etc. detected at one or more of the digitaldevices 602. In certain embodiments, monitoring identifies anopportunity for an upgrade, which triggers the communications interface602 to send an email to someone, such as a sales person, to visit theretail environment that merits the upgrade or is experiencing otherproblems with the digital devices 602 being monitored (e.g., problemswith demonstration, connectivity, settings, and so on). In certainembodiments, the communications interface 602 sends the upgrade directlyto one or more digital devices 602 that need or otherwise qualify forthe upgrade.

In certain embodiments, digital devices 602 may identify themselves asretail units. The retail units may check in with the device managementengine 606 to be monitored more frequently than other digital devices602, for example. The retail units may be provided with different datafrom other digital devices 602 or otherwise be treated differently.Monitoring of the digital devices 602 may be utilized to identifyvarious uses of the digital devices 602. For example, a profile for eachof the digital devices 602 may be generated by the digital devices 602or obtained from a third party. The profile may then be utilized todetermine what type of uses, content, or other information associatedwith the digital devices 602 may result in increased sales, decreasedsales, or other information associated with the retail environment. Forexample, retail store A may sell more of the digital devices 602, andthe digital devices 602 sold at store A may have been used predominantlyfor Internet streaming. Features, settings, demographics, or otherinformation associated with the digital devices 602 may be utilized togenerate the profiles. Data from the profiles, or otherwise, may beutilized to determine sales trends.

A messaging module 706 may be provided to generate messages associatedwith the digital devices 602. The messages may include a resolution,such as an upgrade to software, remote reset, setting change, and so on,associated with the digital device 602. For example, a new version of anapplication on a digital video device may be provided. As anotherexample, an updated version of an application for playing audio at adigital music device may be provided. The messaging module 706 maygenerate a message regarding the resolution, such as an upgrade, amessage that the digital devices 602 is not functioning properly, suchas being turned off or otherwise deactivated, a message withsubscription or temporary access data, and so on. Any type of messagemay be generated by the messaging module 706.

A resolution module 708 may be provided in association with the devicemanagement engine 606. The resolution module 708 may use data from themonitoring module 704 to determine whether or not a resolution includingan upgrade or update of software, or other upgrades, are required or maybe useful to the digital devices 602 being monitored. As discussedherein, the digital devices 602 may be monitored periodically orcontinually via the network 604. The resolution module 708 may evaluatethe data from the monitoring module 704 and determine what type ofupgrade, or other resolution, to send to the digital device(s) 602. Theresolution may be based on the data from the monitoring module 704 anddata about the digital devices 602, itself, according to someembodiments. For example, a model number associated with the digitaldevices 602 may help determine the upgrade to be sent to the digitaldevices 602. The upgrade or other resolution may be scheduled orrandomized to avoid simultaneous upgrades to relieve strain on thedevice management engine 606, according to some embodiments.

The resolution module 708 may send upgrades or other remote correctionto the digital devices 602 based on new or updated demonstrations, newor updated audio or video tracks, bug or error fixes for existingapplications, and so forth. Any type of data may be sent by theresolution module 708. In certain embodiments, the resolution module 708instructs a digital device 602 to activate itself, such as by turningitself on or registering with the device management engine 606. Theresolution module 708 may also make the upgrades available to thedigital devices 602, such as by providing downloadable upgrades.

An account module 710 may be provided to register the digital devices602 with subscription services. The account module 710 may sendsubscription data, such as temporary login information, to the digitaldevices 602. Alternatively, the account module 710 can auto-populate asubscription registration for the digital devices 602 or otherwiseautomatically register the digital devices 602 for the subscriptionservices. For example, the account module 710 may provide the digitaldevices 602 with a username and password for online service accounts,such as for a music download service. In certain embodiments, theaccount module 710 sends account information to the digital devices 602periodically so the digital devices 602 can maintain currentdemonstration data. For example, the account module 710 can sendsubscription data to the digital devices 602 each month based on popularwebsites or services for the particular month.

In certain embodiments, the device management engine 606 may act as aproxy for the digital media devices 602 by communicating directly with asubscription service about a particular digital media device 602. Forexample, the device management engine 606 may communicate to thesubscription service that digital media devices 602 with particularhousehold identification numbers (or other identification information)are approved for trial accounts.

In certain embodiments, each digital devices 602 and/or retail store maybe provided with subscription data, such as a trial account, forexample. For example, the account module 710 may provide thesubscription data. The trial account may be customized for the digitaldevices 602 according to profile data associated with the digitaldevices 602, retail store location, or any other information. Forexample, digital devices 602 in retail stores in a Midwest region mayhave trial accounts for country music set up or prepopulated.

In certain embodiments, a locking module 712 may also be provided. Thelocking module 712 may send data to the digital devices 602 to lock thedigital device 602 in a particular state. For example, the lockingmodule 712 may remotely limit changes to settings associated with thedigital device 602. In alternative embodiments, a locking mechanism maybe provided on the digital devices 602, itself.

According to various embodiments, the locking mechanism may limitchanges, return the digital devices 602 to a state so that a consistentpresentation is displayed for another customer, prevent the deletion offiles or applications, prevent certain content from being played ordisplayed, and so on. For example, particular streaming content may beprevented from playing in the retail environment because it is notall-age appropriate. The locking mechanism may be implemented for anyreason. The locking module 712 may remove or deactivate the lockingmechanism for any reason, such as when the customer purchases thedigital devices 602.

A rules module 714 may also be provided. The rules module 714 maydetermine a course of action when an event occurs, such as what type ofresolution is appropriate, what default settings are appropriate basedon registered users, registered retailers, and so on. Specificresolutions may be provided based on rules associated with the rulesmodule 714. For example, if the digital media device 602 is registeredto a particular retailer, specific upgrades with preset features may beprovided to the digital media devices 602 associated with the particularretailer. A variety of rule types may be established by the rules module714. According to example embodiments, the rules module 714 may beupdated with current rules data based on updates associated withretailers, the device management engine 606, the digital media devices602, and so on.

Although various modules are shown in FIG. 7 as part of the devicemanagement engine 606, the device management engine 606 may be formedfrom less than or more than the modules shown and still fall within thescope of various embodiments. For example, a retail profile database(not shown) may be provided for storing data about individual retailenvironments. Further, although FIGS. 6 and 7 detail the use of thedigital devices 602 in retail environments, the digital devices 602 maybe remotely managed within residential environments or other commercialenvironments. For example, the monitoring module 704 may monitor digitaldevices 602 in homes of users for providing remote resolutions, such aserror fixes, upgrades, on/off indicators, account updates, and so on.

In an embodiment, a retail store may register one or more of the digitaldevices 602 for management by completing an online registration processwith the device management engine 606. The device management engine 606provisions the digital devices 602 and the digital devices 602 aremonitored and/or check in with the device management engine 606periodically. Data from the digital devices 602 may be extracted andforwarded to subscription service providers that may then enable one ormore trial accounts based on the data from the digital devices 602, suchas a trial or demonstration account from a music or other multimediacontent service provider.

In certain embodiments, if one or more of the digital devices 602 failsto check-in with the device management engine 606 for a period of time(e.g., fourteen (14) days) the digital devices 602 may be deemed“inactive.” Any trial accounts associated with the digital devices 602deemed “inactive” may be disabled.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process for remotely managingdigital devices, such as the digital devices 602 discussed herein. Thedigital devices 602 may include digital music devices or digital mediadevices according to certain embodiments. At block 802, one or more ofthe digital devices 602 are monitored. As discussed herein, the devicemanagement engine 606 may monitor the digital devices 602 within aretail environment, a residential environment, a commercial environment,or other environment. The digital devices 602 may be monitored via thenetwork 604 on a periodic basis or constantly. In certain embodiments, aretailer, a user, or other person may request or set the frequency withwhich the digital device(s) 602 is monitored. In certain embodiments,the digital device(s) 602 itself specifies the frequency for monitoring.

At block 804, at least one matter associated with the one or moredigital devices 602 is identified. For example, the resolution module708 may identify the matter. The matter may include an availableupgrade, a bug or error associated with an application on the digitaldevices 602 (e.g., an error detected in demonstration playback,networking, and so on), a lock to prevent particular content from beingavailable on the digital devices 602, availability of an up-to-datedemonstration, availability of subscription information for asubscription service, an operational problem, such as the device beingturned off, and so on. The matter may be identified based onavailability of new or up-to-date data for the digital devices 602,based on requests from the digital device or users associated with thedigital devices 602, and/or based on data about the environment, such asa retail, residential, or commercial environment.

At block 806, a resolution to address the at least one matter isgenerated. For example, the messaging module 706 may identify theresolution. As discussed herein, based on the data about the environmentand/or the digital devices 602, the digital management engine 606 maysend upgrades, messages, setting limitations or changes, instructions,subscription account information, such as temporary logins andpasswords, and so on. A variety of resolutions may be sent or otherwisecommunicated to or about the digital devices 602.

At block 808, the resolution is distributed. The resolution may bedistributed directly to the digital devices 602 or to other devicesassociated with the environment, such as servers, computing devices, andso on. In certain embodiments, one of the digital devices 602 receivesthe resolution and distributes the resolution to the other digitaldevices 602 in the same location or otherwise associated with the sameenvironment. For example, in a user's home, one of the digital devices602 may distribute upgrades to the other digital devices 602 in the samehome. Accordingly, once one unit (e.g., digital devices 602) upgrades,the other units may also upgrade.

Similarly, the digital devices 602 associated with similar retailenvironments may also receive resolutions based on the resolution sentto one of the digital devices 602, so that a digital device 602 at oneof the retail locations perpetuates the resolutions to the digitaldevices 602 to one or more retail environments associated with theretail location. In alternative embodiments, each of the digital devices602 may receive the resolution.

V. Demonstration at a Point of Sale Display

As shown in FIG. 9 , a demonstration interface 900 is configured fordemonstration of operation (e.g., multimedia content playback) of one ormore playback devices 910, 911 in a retail environment. The playbackdevice or zone player 910, 911 has volume and other controls 920, 921accessible via the interface 900 to provide a user with additionalinformation and control for demonstration of the playback device 910,911. As shown in FIG. 9 , demonstration scripts can be configured for aplurality of demonstration devices 910, 911 so that a user candemonstrate and test a playback system in a retail environment. The usercan select a device 910, 911 via the interface 900 to interact with thedevice 910, 911 to retrieve further information, exercise volume andmute controls, and experience other demonstration features, for example.

As shown in FIG. 9 an example PLAY:5™ device 910 and an example PLAY:3™device 911 are provided via the interface 900. A user can interact withthe interface 900 and device(s) 910, 911 to learn more and interact withthe system to determine, for example, quality of sound and playabilityof audio or other multimedia content. In certain embodiments, thedevices are networked together at the demonstration interface 900 usingthe same network topology as the devices would use in its intendedenvironment (e.g., at home or in some other environment).

Each device 910, 911 is associated with a “Learn More” button or icon930, 931. For example, pressing a learn more button 930, 931 may provideone or more of the following options: stop what is playing, break anygrouping, reset volume to a preset level, play video with audio from achosen speaker, and so on. In certain examples, after a certain period(e.g., three minutes) without user interaction, the system may timeoutand revert back to a zone menu. In certain examples, after a videobegins, any “learn more” button presses 930, 931 is ignored for acertain period of time (e.g., five seconds).

As shown in FIG. 10 , a handheld device 1000, such as a smartphone(e.g., an Apple iPhone™, a BlackBerry™, an Android™ phone, and so on) ortablet computer (e.g., an Apple iPad™, BlackBerry PlayBook™, and SamsungGalaxy™, and so on), can be used to provide controller functions for oneor more demonstration playback devices. As shown in FIG. 10 , a user canchoose a zone player 1020, 1021 via a zone menu 1010 on the mobiledevice 1000. After selecting a zone player 1020, 1021, the user can viewcontent 1030 playing on the zone player 1020, 1021 to interact with oneor more controls 1035 to control playback volume speed, etc. Using thecontroller 1000 for the selected zone player 1020, 1021, the user canselect music 1040, such as from a streaming music service via theInternet, the retail store's own music service, an available musiclibrary, playlists, and/or auxiliary line in, digital music files storedon a portable device of a potential customer, and so on. Selecting themusic library 1045, for example, provides the user with a demonstrationset of library features including search, artists, albums, composers,genres, tracks, imported playlists, folders, and so on. Selecting tracks1050, for example, provides the user with a listing of available tracks.For example, available tracks may include all tracks, trackscorresponding to a certain letter of the alphabet, other indicatedtracks, and so on. Selecting all tracks 1055, for example, provides anadditional menu 1060 allowing the user to select from among a pluralityof options including, for example, play now, play next, add to queue,please queue, and so on. Selecting play now, for example, plays thetrack through the one or more selected zone players 1020, 1021 andallows the user to impact that play experience through the handheldcontrol 1000, for example. Selecting a home option 1065 in the controls1035 brings the user back to the zone menu 1010, for example.

In certain embodiments, a demonstration system is configured andprovided at a point of sale display to facilitate demonstration andplayback to potential customers in a connected or a non-connectedenvironment. User experience guidelines can be provided for bothconnected (e.g., network-accessible) and non-connected (e.g.,non-network accessible) retail display.

In certain embodiments, a default screen mode can be provided for one ormore playback devices in demonstration arrangement at a retail location.For device(s) in a non-connected environment, a default screen mode canbe implemented after one minute of non-use, for example. For device(s)in a connected environment, a default screen mode can be entered afterten minutes of non-use, for example. A default screen can provide animage indicating “Touch To Play Music”, for example. Upon a user touch,the user is provided with a music menu for content playback, as shownabove with respect to FIG. 9 , for example. If a customer clicks on a“zone” logo, for example, the customer will be provided with a list ofavailable zones (e.g., “S3-Kitchen”, “S5-Office” and “Zone Player120—Living Room”) in the display. Thus, playback device models can bedisplayed in conjunction with room designations for user review andselection to determine operation and arrangement of device(s).

In certain examples, one or more demonstration devices can be lockedsuch that certain functionality is limited or rendered off-limits. Forexample, a party mode can be enabled for playback device configuration,but a stereo pair option may not be offered as a demonstration option.In certain examples, a customer may not be allowed to shut off a device,and the device (e.g., a playback device, a controller, and so on) is“always on”. For example, a controller application (e.g., a SonosAndroid™ controller application) can be the only functionality enabledon a smartphone provided for demonstration purposes at a point of sale(e.g., a retail location). Other functionality may be locked ortemporarily disabled to help prevent malfunction or tampering of thedemonstration.

In certain embodiments, a series of commands is provided to allow anauthorized user to access settings and lock or unlock a point of sale(POS) mode. For example, by touching two logos simultaneously, settingscan be accessed. For example, settings can allow the authorized user toaccess language preferences and also be able to switch between connectedand non-connected functionality should a store or other retail locationgain Internet connectivity.

In certain embodiments, a non-connected demonstration set-up providesthe following, in order of priority. For example, the user interfaceshows a default user interface and an icon for tier 1 music services(e.g., Pandora™, Rhapsody™, Last.fm™, Napster™, I heart radio,Sirius/XM™, and so on). A music library is pre-loaded licensed music in,for example, fifteen second samples. An advertising message for musicservices (e.g., “Connect Sonos™ to the Internet and listen to more than100,000 internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts from all over theworld.”) can be displayed. However, music services may not be simulatedon a non-connected display. In certain examples, Internet Radio can beadvertised (e.g., “Search for your favorite station, shows, or regionalprogramming”).

In certain embodiments, a connected demonstration set-up provides thefollowing, in order of priority. For example, an application remainslocked so users may not check email or access inappropriate informationfrom the Internet. It is not desirable for customers to access settings,factory resetting the system, and so on, so a network connecteddemonstration configuration at a POS dictates that hardware and softwarerun in a POS mode in which default settings for POS are not accessibleto a potential customer. For example, a settings button can indicate toconsumers “Sorry, this is locked on all Sonos retail displays”. Otherbuttons may be blocked to limit some functionality (e.g., Twitter™,alarm functionality, and so on).

In certain examples, a controller application (e.g., a controllerapplication enabled on a smartphone, such as an Android™ controllerapplication) utilize a lock default settings mode for a POSdemonstration. In lock default settings mode, the user interfaceprovides a control application that stays “locked” when users back outfrom a demonstration menu to a basic menu. The locked applicationprevents customers from changing settings, zones, names, groups zones,and so on. The application can default to a basic network configurationwhen powered down and re-launch a basic user interface when powered upto help ensure that the display is functional without a sales personrebooting the demonstration device. Demonstration hardware can include apersonal music player that looks and acts like a phone, or a tabletdevice, for example.

In certain embodiments, demonstration display and sound are configuredfor a POS to entice customers to test and purchase a multimedia playbacksystem. For example, a video screen can run a short brand video thatwill loop so the recording can tell a story regarding the product, thebrand, and so on. A push button on the display allows a consumer to godeeper into the brand story and receive more involved messaging, forexample. The button can be positioned on a touch screen, for example,and video screen so there is no confusion as to what controls thescreen. In certain embodiments, the consumer can establish a connection(e.g., over the Internet) with a representative from sales, customersservice, and so on for the multimedia playback system.

In certain embodiments, via the connection though the demonstrationsystem, the consumer can converse with a representative associated withthe playback system rather than someone working at the point of sale.

In certain embodiments, if a customer decides to switch from thecontroller application and explore deeper on the demo video screen,sound parameters can reflect a direction of the user's exploration.Sound from the video can emanate through a playback unit, such as aSonos S3™, housed directly below the video screen. By activating thecontroller device touch screen, sound from the streaming video (e.g.,Sonos PLAY:5™) can be cut off, allowing the music to play from eitherdevice, such as the Sonos PLAY:3™ or Sonos PLAY:5™. In certainembodiments, the interaction can begin with the PLAY:5 and then allow acustomer to switch to the PLAY:3.

In certain embodiments, a non-connected environment at a POS can bemanaged such that a manufacturer of one or more playback devicesconfigured for demonstration at the POS (e.g., a Sonos PLAY:3™ and aSonos PLAY:5™) can maintain control of setup and messaging for thedemonstration devices in a non-assisted sales floor environment. Forexample, wireless setup, control, and interference prevention can befacilitated in a non-network connected environment at a POS. Aneducational demonstration can be enabled via the playback devices andcontrolled by the manufacturer. Audio content can be controlled to helpensure a high level of audiophile quality in the demonstration, forexample. Additionally, a POS display can be provided for demonstrationto promote consumer engagement and interaction with a family of playbackdevices (e.g., music players).

In certain embodiments, a playback device, such as a Sonos PLAY:3™ musicplayer, may not include an auxiliary input to provide audio content forin-store demonstration at a non-connected POS. As a result, the playbackdevice can be configured with one or more other devices to facilitatein-store demonstration according to manufacturer specifications.

For example, a playback device without an auxiliary input can bedisplayed for demonstration in conjunction with a demonstration displayfor one or more other playback devices with an auxiliary input. Asshown, for example, in FIGS. 11A-11C, existing electronics from anothersystem's demonstration display 1110 can be used for the demonstration ofthe new playback system at the POS. As illustrated, for example, in FIG.11B, a plurality of different playback devices 1111-1116 can be arrangedand networked to allow a customer to learn about and test a variety ofplayback devices 1111-1116 in a demonstration configuration.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 11D, one or more buttons 1120-1122 can beadjusted son the display 1110 so that the buttons communicate with bothtypes of playback device. For example, the top button 1120 can beconfigured as a “Learn More” button about a first type of playbackdevice, and the middle button 1121 can be configured as a “Learn More”button about a second type of playback device. A volume control 1122 canwork the same for each type of playback device and can be used tocontrol either device, for example.

FIG. 11E depicts a switching box or switcher 1130 to allow an auxiliaryinput to work with either device via a display. In certain embodiments,an auxiliary output can be changed to audio over Ethernet or othernetwork connection/adapter, for example. In certain embodiments,electronics can be added (e.g., via a retrofit box, up front, and so on)to connect a plurality of playback devices and provide audio overEthernet capability for demonstration at a POS. For example, audio overEthernet technology can be built into POS electronics up front to helpreduce or minimize retrofit issues and costs.

For example, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 11E, a playbackdevice 1140 can be connected to the switcher 1130, such as by tying aninfrared (IR) input 1141 of the device 1140 to an IR output 1131 of theswitcher 1130 and an audio output 1142 of the device 1140 to an audioinput 1132 of the switcher 1130. The switcher 1130 is connected to atouch sensor button or button panel 1150 via a connector 1133 to allowplayback via one or more speakers 1134, 1135, for example.

FIG. 11F illustrates a demonstration configuration of one or moreplayback devices at a POS without a demonstration display. A converter1160 converts an auxiliary audio input 1170 to an audio over Ethernetsignal 1180, for example. In certain embodiments, the converter 1160 canbe implemented using a playback device, such as a modified Sonos ZP90™.

Using one or more of the example systems described above, one or morePOS modes are enabled for playback device demonstration. For example, aPOS mode can lock a playback device into an auxiliary input with volumeand mute locked in at a high level and volume buttons that do notrespond to user presses. As another example, a POS mode can include aplayback device locked into an auxiliary input with volume and mute notlocked and instead function as they normally would for the playbackdevice.

In certain embodiments, a connected point of sale can be remotelyupdated. For example, audio, video, or audio and video content can beloaded to a POS playback device on demand and a new promotion can be runat a POS without having to put people on the ground in stores. Once apoint of sale is connected, interaction with customers can be enabled(e.g., via video chat with a sales representative and so on). In certainembodiments, user interactions and locations can be tracked in real timefrom a central location. A report can then be generated (e.g., a reporton a number and type of interactions that have occurred).

In certain embodiments, a customer can provide his or her own device(e.g., an iPod™ iPhone™, other portable device, and so on) to beconnected via a dock or other interface (wired or wirelessly) to the POSdisplay itself or to a playback device at a POS display so that the usercan control or provide content for the POS playback device(s), or bothcontrol and provide content for playback via the user's portable deviceand the POS playback device(s). For example, a user may connect heriPhone™ to the POS display interface (docked or wirelessly “docked” viaBluetooth or some other wired or wireless networking protocol) andaccess her music stored on the phone device and/or access music throughher subscribed music service even if the POS display is non-connected.As such, she can play a familiar song through a playback device, forexample, to test the output of the one or more POS playback devices.

In certain embodiments, she may download controller software to herphone near the POS display location (e.g., via a phone network or via alocal wired or wireless network of the POS display) and use theinstalled controller software on her phone to control one or more ofplayback devices at the POS display. How-to instructions may be providedat the POS display to walk her through the process of downloading thecontroller software and/or configuring the controller to control aplayback device at the POS display. Downloading the controller at thestore and using it to control limited (or all) functionality of aplayback device, while under the guidance of the POS display, canprovide an even more realistic experience with the hardware/software ofthe devices to be sold. In certain embodiments, after a reasonableamount of time has been reached (e.g., 10 minutes), the controller onher phone may be automatically disconnected from the POS display. Incertain embodiments, the controller on her phone may be disconnectedfrom the POS display and/or overridden by subsequent button presses onthe POS display itself (e.g., thereby indicating that a new consumer hascome to the POS display). While the controller may be deactivated fromoperating playback devices at the POS display, the controller may beconfigured to control any future playback devices that she decides tolater purchase.

While example playback devices and POS demonstration systems have beenillustrated in the preceding figures, one or more of the interfaces,data structures, elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in thefigures can be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminatedand/or implemented in any way. Further, the example components describedabove can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or anycombination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example,any of the example elements described above could be implemented by oneor more circuit(s), programmable processor(s), application specificintegrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s))and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), and so on.

When any apparatus claim of this patent is read to cover a purelysoftware and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the exampleelements are hereby expressly defined to include a computer readablemedium such as a memory, DVD, CD, and so on, storing the software and/orfirmware. Further still, the example elements can include one or moreelements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, thoseillustrated in the figures, and/or can include more than one of any orall of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram 1200 for a method of playback devicedemonstration at a point of sale. At block 1210, connectivity of ademonstration system to a network is determined. For example, it isdetermined whether a zone player demonstration station at a retaillocation (e.g., an electronics store) is connected to the Internet or isa standalone or temporarily disconnected system.

At block 1220, user experience guidelines are selected based on thedetermined connectivity status. For example, based on whether thedemonstration system is connected or not connected to a network,operation and control of the demonstration playback device(s) can beadjusted to help ensure playable, usability, and reliability of thedemonstration setup for repeated consumer interaction.

At block 1230, demonstration information and functionality are providedfor consumer interaction at a point of sale based on the user experienceguidelines. For example, a video or audio describing the demonstrationplayback devices, an alphanumeric descriptive display, and so on can beprovided for consumer review. The consumer can also access functionalityto play content and so on via the demonstration configuration. Incertain embodiments, one or more buttons are provided for the consumerto learn more about a device or device capability. In certainembodiments, a handheld controller, such as a smartphone controller, canbe provided to facilitate consumer interaction with the point of saledemonstration device(s).

At block 1240, consumer input is processed to interact with thedemonstration system. For example, the consumer can review availablecontent, select content for playback, adjust volume, and so on via auser interface associated with the demonstration system (e.g., amulti-button control panel) or other controller (e.g., a handheldsmartphone controller application). The user interface/controllerreceives consumer input and relays it to an appropriate playback device,switcher, or control program, for example.

At block 1250, consumer access is limited based on the consumer inputand restricted functionality. For example, a requested consumer actioncan be compared to a set of available or allowable consumer actions todetermine whether the consumer is allowed to execute the action in thedemonstration configuration. For example, a consumer may not be allowedto exit a controller program to open a web browser or email program inthe demonstration system. As another example, a consumer may not beallowed to add additional content for playback, adjust volume beyond adefined range, and so on, in the POS demonstration environment.

At block 1260, a demonstration user experience is provided to theconsumer at the retail location. For example, a consumer can listen tomusic via a demonstration zone player at a point of sale, such as anelectronics store.

At block 1270, demonstration playback is monitored to help ensurereliable performance and configuration at the point of sale. Forexample, if no user interaction is detected for a certain period oftime, then the demonstration system can be reset or provided withdefault playback content.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart representative of an example method 1300 forplayback device demonstration at a point of sale display. At block 1310,a user (also referred to herein as a “consumer” or “potential consumer”)accesses a demonstration playback system. For example, a user accesses azone player and speaker demonstration station at a retail location(e.g., an electronics store).

At block 1320, demonstration information and functionality are providedfor consumer interaction at a point of sale based on a user experienceguideline. For example, a video or audio describing the demonstrationplayback devices, an alphanumeric descriptive display, and so on can beprovided for consumer review. The consumer can also access functionalityto play media content and so on via the demonstration configuration. Incertain embodiments, one or more buttons are provided for the consumerto learn more about a device or device capability. In certainembodiments, a handheld controller, such as a smartphone controller, canbe provided to facilitate consumer interaction with the point of saledemonstration device(s). In certain embodiments, the demonstrationconfiguration allows the consumer to dock or otherwise connect his orher own device (e.g., a portable music player) to the demonstrationplayback device(s) for playback of the consumer's accessible content viathe demonstration system. A user experience guideline can includewhether or not the demonstration system is connected to an internalnetwork or an external network, a type of POS display, a type of user,and so on.

At block 1330, consumer input is processed to interact with thedemonstration system. For example, the consumer can review availablecontent, select content for playback, adjust volume, and so on via auser interface associated with the demonstration system (e.g., amulti-button control panel) or other controller (e.g., a handheldsmartphone controller application). The user interface/controllerreceives consumer input and relays it to an appropriate playback device,switcher, or control program, for example.

At block 1340, a demonstration user experience is provided to theconsumer at the retail location. For example, a consumer can listen tomusic via a demonstration zone player at a point of sale, such as anelectronics store.

At block 1350, demonstration playback is monitored to help ensurereliable performance and configuration at the point of sale. Forexample, if no user interaction is detected for a certain period oftime, then the demonstration system can be reset or provided withdefault playback content.

At block 1360, if the demonstration system has an external networkconnection, content for the demonstration system at the point of salemay be updated remotely. For example, video can be loaded at ademonstration playback device at a POS display on demand. New promotionscan be run at a POS display through the demonstration configurationwithout putting personnel at the POS display to facilitate thepromotion, for example.

At block 1370, interaction between a consumer at the POS display and anexternal representative is enabled. In certain embodiments, the externalrepresentative works for the product company and is familiar with theproduct being offered for sale at the POS display. In an alternateembodiment, the external representative works for the retailer company.For example, a consumer can video chat or otherwise interaction over anetwork with a sales or technical representative via the demonstrationconfiguration at a POS. In another example, a sales representative,sitting remotely from the POS display, may activate a demonstration of aproduct directly to the consumer. The external representative may bepart of a sales team, support team, engineering team or some other groupto engage with the consumer. In one example, a purchaser may even usethe POS display as a way to get product support versus a way to purchasethe product.

At block 1380, user interaction is tracked with respect to location. Forexample, consumer interaction with a demonstration playback device at aPOS can be tracked remotely and reported (e.g., report a number ofinteractions, a type of interactions, and so on).

In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that disclosed examplesystems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture can be used tocontrol audio playback devices. Some example systems, methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture advantageously allow for simplercontrol of an audio system, including an audio playback device and anaudio information source, from the perspective of a user of the system.In some such examples, the user of the system can control the playbackof audio using any of multiple user input devices that can be configuredto communicate with different elements of the system. Some examplesystems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture disclosedherein permit the user of an audio system including an audio playbackdevice and an audio information source to control the audio volume andaudio input source using a user input device that is configured tocommunicate with the audio information source but is not configured tocommunicate with the audio playback device.

Example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacturedisclosed herein maintain a consistent volume when changing betweendifferent audio information sources, where one or more of the differentaudio information sources have independent and/or different volumesettings.

Various inventions have been described in sufficient detail with acertain degree of particularity. It is understood to those skilled inthe art that the present disclosure of embodiments has been made by wayof examples only and that numerous changes in the arrangement andcombination of parts can be resorted without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure as claimed. While the embodimentsdiscussed herein can appear to include some limitations as to thepresentation of the information units, in terms of the format andarrangement, the embodiments have applicability well beyond suchembodiment, which can be appreciated by those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by theappended claims rather than the forgoing description of embodiments.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: at least oneprocessor; at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium; andprogram instructions stored on the at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that are executable by the at least oneprocessor such that the system is configured to: communicate, over adata network, with a media playback system in order to monitor andremotely manage at least one playback device of the media playbacksystem; identify one or more temporary access restrictions configured bya first user associated with the media playback system, wherein a firstcomputing device associated with the first user has access to a firstset of playback control actions that enable the first computing deviceto control playback of audio content that is being played back by the atleast one playback device, and wherein the temporary access restrictionsinclude a second set of one or more playback control actions that isdifferent from the first set of playback controls; receive a requestfrom a second computing device associated with a second user to connectto the media playback system and thereby access one or more playbackcontrol actions that enable the second computing device to controlplayback of audio content that is being played back by the at least oneplayback device, wherein the second user is not associated with themedia playback system; and based on the one or more temporary accessrestrictions: determine a temporary access credential for enabling thesecond computing device associated with the second user to temporarilyconnect to the media playback system thereby access the second set ofone or more playback control actions; and transmit the temporary accesscredential for enabling the second computing device associated with thesecond user to temporarily connect to the media playback system andthereby access the second set of one or more playback control actions.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more temporary accessrestrictions further include a time limit on temporary connections tothe media playback system by computing devices associated with usersthat are not associated with the media playback system, and wherein thesecond set of one or more playback control actions are available tocomputing devices that are temporarily connected to the media playbacksystem.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the request to connect to themedia playback system comprises a request to add given audio content toa playback queue of the media playback system, and wherein the secondset of one or more playback control actions include adding audio contentto the playback queue.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprisingprogram instructions stored on the at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that are executable by the at least oneprocessor such that the system is configured to: modify the playbackqueue by adding the given audio content to the playback queue.
 5. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the request to connect to the media playbacksystem comprises a request to adjust a volume of audio content that isbeing played back by the at least one playback device, wherein the setof one or more playback control actions does not include volumeadjustment, and wherein the program instructions stored on the at leastone non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprise programinstructions that are executable by the at least one processor such thatthe system is configured to: based on the one or more temporary accessrestrictions: deny the request to adjust the volume of the audio contentthat is being played back by the at least one playback device; and causethe computing device associated with the second user to display anindication that the request is not permitted.
 6. The system of claim 1,further comprising program instructions stored on the at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the system is configured to: transmit thetemporary access credential to the at least one playback device.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising program instructions stored on theat least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executableby the at least one processor such that the system is configured to:determine that a predetermined period of time has elapsed after thecomputing device associated with the second user has connected to themedia playback system using the temporary access credential; and basedon determining that the predetermined period of time has elapsed, causethe computing device associated with the second user to becomedisconnected from the media playback system.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the program instructions stored on the at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the system is configured to transmit thetemporary access credential comprise program instructions stored on theat least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executableby the at least one processor such that the system is configured to:transmit the temporary access credential to either (i) the computingdevice associated with the second user or (ii) a control device of themedia playback system for display.
 9. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising program instructions stored on the at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the atleast one processor such that the system is configured to: aftertransmitting the temporary access credential: receive, from thecomputing device associated with the second user, (i) data identifyinggiven audio content provided by an Internet-based media server and (ii)a command to add the data identifying the given audio content to aplayback queue of the media playback system; and add the dataidentifying the given audio content to the playback queue of the mediaplayback system.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising programinstructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readablemedium that are executable by the at least one processor such that thesystem is configured to: after transmitting the temporary accesscredential: receive from the computing device associated with the seconduser, over the data network, given audio content for playback; and addthe given audio content to a playback queue of the media playbacksystem.
 11. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium,wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium isprovisioned with program instructions that, when executed by at leastone processor, cause a system to: communicate, over a data network, witha media playback system in order to monitor and remotely manage at leastone playback device of the media playback system; identify one or moretemporary access restrictions configured by a first user associated withthe media playback system, wherein a first computing device associatedwith the first user has access to a first set of playback controlactions that enable the first computing device to control playback ofaudio content that is being played back by the at least one playbackdevice, and wherein the temporary access restrictions include a secondset of one or more playback control actions that is different from thefirst set of playback controls; receive a request from a secondcomputing device associated with a second user to connect to the mediaplayback system and thereby access one or more playback control actionsthat enable the second computing device to control playback of audiocontent that is being played back by the at least one playback device,wherein the second user is not associated with the media playbacksystem; and based on the one or more temporary access restrictions:determine a temporary access credential for enabling the secondcomputing device associated with the second user to temporarily connectto the media playback system and thereby access the second set of one ormore playback control actions; and transmit the temporary accesscredential for enabling the second computing device associated with thesecond user to temporarily connect to the media playback system andthereby access the second set of one or more playback control actions.12. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim11, wherein the one or more temporary access restrictions furtherinclude a time limit on temporary connections to the media playbacksystem by computing devices associated with users that are notassociated with the media playback system, and wherein the second set ofone or more playback control actions available to computing devices thatare temporarily connected to the media playback system.
 13. The at leastone non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein therequest to connect to the media playback system comprises a request toadd given audio content to a playback queue of the media playbacksystem, and wherein the second set of one or more playback controlactions include adding audio content to the playback queue.
 14. The atleast one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, whereinthe at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium is alsoprovisioned with program instructions that, when executed by at leastone processor, cause the system to: modify the playback queue by addingthe given audio content to the playback queue.
 15. The at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the requestto connect to the media playback system comprises a request to adjust avolume of audio content that is being played back by the at least oneplayback device, wherein the set of one or more playback control actionsdoes not include volume adjustment, and wherein the at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium is also provisioned with programinstructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause thesystem to: based on the one or more temporary access restrictions: denythe request to adjust the volume of the audio content that is beingplayed back by the at least one playback device; and cause the computingdevice associated with the second user to display an indication that therequest is not permitted.
 16. The at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising programinstructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readablemedium that are executable by the at least one processor such that thesystem is configured to: transmit the temporary access credential to theat least one playback device.
 17. The at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising programinstructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readablemedium that are executable by the at least one processor such that thesystem is configured to: determine that a predetermined period of timehas elapsed after the computing device associated with the second userhas connected to the media playback system using the temporary accesscredential; and based on determining that the predetermined period oftime has elapsed, cause the computing device associated with the seconduser to become disconnected from the media playback system.
 18. The atleast one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, whereinthe program instructions stored on the at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that are executable by the at least oneprocessor such that the system is configured to transmit the temporaryaccess credential comprise program instructions stored on the at leastone non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by theat least one processor such that the system is configured to: transmitthe temporary access credential to either (i) the computing deviceassociated with the second user or (ii) a control device of the mediaplayback system for display.
 19. A method carried out by a system, themethod comprising: communicating, over a data network, with a mediaplayback system in order to monitor and remotely manage at least oneplayback device of the media playback system; identifying one or moretemporary access restrictions configured by a first user associated withthe media playback system, wherein a first computing device associatedwith the first user has access to a first set of playback controlactions that enable the first computing device to control playback ofaudio content that is being played back by the at least one playbackdevice, and wherein the temporary access restrictions include a secondset of one or more playback control actions that is different from thefirst set of playback controls; receiving a request from a secondcomputing device associated with a second user to connect to the mediaplayback system and thereby access one or more playback control actionsthat enable the second computing device to control playback of audiocontent that is being played back by the at least one playback device,wherein the second user is not associated with the media playbacksystem; and based on the one or more temporary access restrictions:determining a temporary access credential for enabling the secondcomputing device associated with the second user to temporarily connectto the media playback system and thereby access the second set of one ormore playback control actions; and transmitting the temporary accesscredential for enabling the second computing device associated with thesecond user to temporarily connect to the media playback system andthereby access the second set of one or more playback control actions.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more temporary accessrestrictions further include a time limit on temporary connections tothe media playback system by computing devices associated with usersthat are not associated with the media playback system, and wherein thesecond set of one or more playback control actions are available tocomputing devices that are temporarily connected to the media playbacksystem.